News Story Date : 29 May, 2009

Steve Parry launches Pools 4 Schools programme

Steve Parry was joined last week by Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington to launch his new Pools 4 Schools Programme. The first of the pools was opened in Preston Park School in Brent attracting much interest from the national media.

The Pools 4 Schools programme, Steve’s latest brainchild, aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn to swim and achieve the government’s learn to swim targets. Sponsored by British Gas, Pools 4 Schools is the first specific community programme to be backed by the energy company. Over the next year, the programme will see temporary pools visit 10 locations, staying for six weeks at time, allowing the community to get active and develop a thirst for swimming.

Since hanging up his goggles in 2005, Steve has never been far from a swimming pool. Steve became Britain’s first Olympic Swimming medalist in eight years, when he won bronze in the 200m butterfly at the Athens Olympics. Since then, from broadcasting about swimming, talking about his exploits in his motivational and after dinner speaking or running Total Swimming, his business he set up in 2004, he has remained immersed in the aquatic world and absorbed with all things swimming.

During the Beijing Olympics, Steve was part of the Radio 5 Live Team and was an integral part of the BBC commentary and presentation team covering the swimming. A regular guest on the sofa with Gabby Logan in the popular BBC1 round up shows, his humorous exploits on the streets of Beijing made the public laugh, as he was constantly confused for Michael Phelps.

As well as supporting and sharing his knowledge with young swimmers through Total Swimming, Steve is also a popular motivational speaker whose focus is on dedication, teamwork, enjoying the journey and having a positive attitude.

To book Steve call Helen on 01245 328303 or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)